Libya: Encyclopedia II - Libya - Culture

Libya - Culture

Main article: Culture of Libya

Libyan culture is, to a certain extent, similar to that of its other Arab North African neighbours and the Libyan people very much consider themselves Arabs. The primary language is a colloquial form of Arabic that is unique to the area around Libya. There seems to be two distinct dialects and a couple of village and tribal dialects. True Libyan Arabs have a heritage in the traditions of the nomadic Bedouin and associate themselves with a particular Bedouin tribe. Family life is a strong value for Libyan families. Most Libyans live in apartment blocks and various kinds of independant housing units depending on their income status. Most of the Arabs who have lived a nomadic lifestyle, traditionally in tents, have been settled into various towns and cities in Libya, their old way of life fading out. It is believed that there are still some who do live as they have for centuries in the desert, though no one knows their exact numbers. Most of the population are engaged in occupations in industry and services and a small percentage in agriculture.

Like many countries in North Africa and the Middle East, Libya can boast few theatres or art galleries. Public entertainment is almost non-existent even in the big cities. Most Libyans, instead however, enjoy regular trips to the many beaches of Libya. It is also regular to visit one of the country's many beautifully preserved archeological sites especially that of Leptis Magna in the east. The nation's capital Tripoli also boasts many good museums and archives including the National Archives, the Government Library, the Ethnographic Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Epigraphy Museum and the Islamic Museum.

See also

• Music of Libya

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Culture", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki